Facing various crises, both acute and chronic, seems to be a natural part of the formation and development of cities. The continuous adaptation record constitutes a specific character that distinguishes each city, reflexed by combining its physical form with the culture and behavior of its inhabitants, which is its urban heritage that will be sculpted repeatedly as long as life goes on. Wars are among the strongest challenges that threaten the urban entity physically and functionally. In Homs city, which has suffered a considerable share of destruction and casualties due to war in Syria, considering the current stifling economic crisis, reviving urban heritage emerges as a need to be provided. Historically, simplicity was Homs dominant feature, and its residents devised their own means to express their relation to the place. They adopted a unique celebration, the Thursday of Sufi orders’ leaders “Khamis al-Mashaykh,” as an annual event that ignites enthusiasm in the city’s residents and visitors alike. This paper proceeds from this historical point, documents the routes of Sufi celebration, links its rituals with the Old City’s urban geography, draws its routes, and defines its important landmarks, relying on historical references and interviews with specialists and eyewitnesses.

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Urban Heritage Role in Post-War City: Revitalizing the Routes of “Sufi Rituals” in the Syrian City of Homs

  • Racha Taiyara,
  • Abeer Abdelal

摘要

Facing various crises, both acute and chronic, seems to be a natural part of the formation and development of cities. The continuous adaptation record constitutes a specific character that distinguishes each city, reflexed by combining its physical form with the culture and behavior of its inhabitants, which is its urban heritage that will be sculpted repeatedly as long as life goes on. Wars are among the strongest challenges that threaten the urban entity physically and functionally. In Homs city, which has suffered a considerable share of destruction and casualties due to war in Syria, considering the current stifling economic crisis, reviving urban heritage emerges as a need to be provided. Historically, simplicity was Homs dominant feature, and its residents devised their own means to express their relation to the place. They adopted a unique celebration, the Thursday of Sufi orders’ leaders “Khamis al-Mashaykh,” as an annual event that ignites enthusiasm in the city’s residents and visitors alike. This paper proceeds from this historical point, documents the routes of Sufi celebration, links its rituals with the Old City’s urban geography, draws its routes, and defines its important landmarks, relying on historical references and interviews with specialists and eyewitnesses.